The return of the “Entourage” crew to the big screen has been delayed by cast members including Adrian Grenier and Jeremy Piven, who have been demanding more cash for the much-anticipated movie version.
The long-awaited film based on the hit HBO show was due to go into production in May, but it’s been on hold while producers try to agree on deals with key members of the cast, Page Six has exclusively learned.
A source told us that despite the two-year lead up to production, “They wanted to start filming early this summer, but the cast has been on hold. Jeremy finally signed his contract two weeks ago. His deal closed Aug. 29. But there are other members of the cast, including Adrian Grenier and Jerry Ferrara, who are still holding out.”
The “Entourage” movie was announced in January 2012. In January of this year, producer Mark Wahlberg confirmed the script was completed and they planned to go into production in May.
Wahlberg admitted it took time to get show creator Doug Ellin to formulate the screenplay. He told MTV in January, “So it just took a long time. It took a long time to get it written, get it right, and we got a fantastic script. Warner Bros. is very excited about it. All the guys are excited.”
He added, “Getting everybody in the same place at the same time has been tough as well.” Wahlberg said he’d originally hoped to start shooting as early as May this year so the flick could be released in April or May 2014.
He said the plot would focus on the leading characters — Ari Gold (Piven), Vincent “Vince” Chase (Grenier), Eric “E” Murphy (Kevin Connolly), Turtle (Ferrara) and Johnny “Drama” Chase (Kevin Dillon).
HBO’s “Entourage” came to an end in 2011. The final episode saw Vince head to Paris to marry his girlfriend, and slick super-agent Gold quitting his job to make a go of things with his estranged wife.
Reps for Piven and Warner Bros. declined to comment. Reps for Wahlberg, Grenier and Ferrara didn’t get back to us.